The Next Big Thing Is Us (Cover Story)
Big, bold ideas used to come from small groups of experts. Now they come from you as well. Here's our annual look at what's new and innovative—from politics to movies, medicine to fashion, sports to tech


Should Thaksin Stay?
His critics demand that he quit. But Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra vows to seek a fresh electoral mandate. TIME asks a range of observers whether he is still the right man to lead his nation

It's Morning in Japan (Viewpoint)
How the nation's central bankers won their war against deflation


Retro Tech, Unplugged
A new law against outdated electronics has Japan's tech fetishists up in arms

And the Oscar Goes To ... China?

Verbatim

Letters
Googling Google

Powder to the People
China, where keeping warm was once the only winter sport, is discovering the snob appeal of skiing


Trouble All Around
It isn't just Israel that Hamas has to worry about. Fatah won't do the new guys favors


Check In (TIME Global Adviser)
Stopovers with Style

Curtain Raiser (TIME Global Adviser)
Long Live the King

Amuse Bouche (TIME Global Adviser)
The Cook of Tao

Spa Trek (TIME Global Adviser)
Far-flung Kyrgyzstan is the setting for cut-price spa holidays